Sei Foundation to Acquire 23andMe, Protect 15 Million Users' Genetic Data with Blockchain

The Sei Foundation, the organization behind the layer-1 blockchain Sei, has announced its intention to acquire the genetic testing company 23andMe, which recently filed for bankruptcy in the United States. This move comes as a response to the concerns raised by 23andMe users regarding the privacy of their genetic data. The Sei Foundation aims to protect the genetic privacy of approximately 15 million Americans by leveraging blockchain technology to secure and manage the genetic information.

In a statement posted on March 27, the Sei network expressed its commitment to defending genetic privacy by acquiring 23andMe. The foundation plans to deploy all of 23andMe's genetic data onto the blockchain, ensuring that data ownership is returned to the users through encrypted and confidential transfers. This initiative underscores the Sei Foundation's belief that user data sovereignty is a critical matter of national security, especially when a leading biotechnology company faces financial distress.

The announcement by the Sei Foundation follows 23andMe's filing for Chapter 11 protection in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on March 23. Despite the bankruptcy, 23andMe assured its users that there would be no changes in how the company stores, manages, or protects customer data. However, the bankruptcy has reignited concerns about data privacy, particularly in an era where companies hold vast amounts of genetic information from millions of individuals.

In response to the bankruptcy announcement, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged 23andMe users to contact the company to delete their personal data and request the destruction of any DNA samples. The attorneys general emphasized that state laws grant 23andMe users control over their own data, highlighting the importance of data privacy and user sovereignty.

The Sei Foundation's proposal to acquire 23andMe and deploy its genetic data on the blockchain represents a significant step towards enhancing data privacy and security. By leveraging blockchain technology, the foundation aims to create a more transparent and secure system for managing genetic information, ensuring that users have control over their data. This move could set a precedent for other companies handling sensitive personal information, emphasizing the need for robust data protection measures.